The room is cold. Cold and dark. I'm currently curled up in a corner with the thin sheet that's called a blanket. Crutchie came by a couple times today and checked up on me, giving me any extra food he has, keeping me company etc.. He even even updated me on how Jackie's doing. He still doesn't our real names, so he still calls us Ash and Jack, which is good, because I hate my old name. It's the name I used when I was a bad person, when I was hurt, and I'm a different person now, so I need to use my different name.

Sometimes I sing to myself the song that Jackie would sing to me when we were younger, Santa Fe. He would always tell me how he would get enough money after I graduate from highschool and we'd ride all the way to Santa Fe, which hadn't always been my dream, but as long as it got me away from here, it sounds perfect. But now I'm trapped. But on the bright side, I'm not out there with all the boys. I'm alone, which means I can't get hurt again. But even though I can't get hurt here, I can stop thinking about getting out of here.

Sadly, there's no escape from here. The bars aren't the ones that can be easily unscrewed and taken off, they're the impossible kind, the ones that are bolted in and covered up with concrete. I constantly just look out the window, trying to find someone who I know, and every day I'm disappointed.

I pull my blanket over my head and start crying. There's a sound of keys jingling and a lock opening. I look to the door, hoping to see Crutchie breaking me out. But instead, it's a guard who's come bearing handcuffs. He walks up to me and cuffs my hands behind my back. I stay as silent as I can in order to not be hurt, which works. He brings me out of the room and we walk over to Jackie's cell.

Once the door opens, he looks up at me and his face lights up. He runs over to try and see me, but is punched by a guard and handcuffed. As three guards are walking us out of the building and into a carriage, Jackie mouths me a question, "Are you hurt?" He asks, I shake my head.

We're both tossed into the carriage and it starts moving. After about 5 minutes, there's a sudden halt and the carriage stops moving. The officers bring us out of the carriage and I see that we're at a courthouse. We walk in through the side entrance and I can hear the voice of my friends through a closed door.

"Pay the clerk. Move it along," I hear the judge say. The officer who's holding us walks us through the door. My vision is immediately met with all the newsies from Manhattan, they all look shocked. I then notice that Spot Conlon is there too, he looks so worried, so I flash him a small smile to try and make him feel better.

"Hey, fellas!" Jackie yells to them, putting on a facade of confidence, which I don't even try to do.

"Hey, Cowboy! Nice shiner!" I hear Race yell, not being serious about this situation. Most other boys laugh too, knowing that Jackie and I will probably get a bad punishment, but not too bad.

"Hey, Denton. I guess we made all the papes this time. So, how's my picture look?" Jackie asks Denton, who shakes his head in disappointment.

"None of the papers covered the rally. Not even the Sun," Denton says. I gulp down my fears and try to appear confident as we're pushed up to the stands.

"Case of Jack Kelly and Ash Kelly. Inciting a riot. Assault. Resisting arrest," the bailiff says, which confuses me because I didn't do any of that other than resisting arrest. I guess the must have ragged me in because I'm his sister.

Snyder steps up beside us and speaks, "Judge Monahan, I'll speak for these two."

"You two know each other. Isn't that nice," I say, rolling my eyes and dripping with sarcasm.

The judge rolls his eyes too and tries to ignore me. "Just move it along, Warden Snyder," he says.

"This boy's real name is Francis Sullivan and her name is Anna Sullivan. Their mother's deceased. Their father's a convict in the state penitentiary. These two are escapees from the House of Refuge where both of their original sentences for three months was extended to six moths for disruptive behavior," Snyder says, letting everyone in the courtroom know that we're fakes. I start fuming with anger but decide to keep quiet.

"Like demanding we eat the food you steal from us," Jackie says, even though it won't do any good.

"Followed by an additional six months for attempted escape," Snyder says in a tone that clearly shows that he's pretending to be a good person.

"Attempted? Last time it wasn't an attempted escape. We got out because you let 'er get raped. Remember Snyder? Remember us and Teddy Roosevelt? Remember Roosevelt and the carriage?" Jackie turns to everyone and tries to excite them, but a place a hand on his shoulder to get him to stop.

"Therefore, I ask that they be returned to the House of Refuge," Snyder says. I feel the tears prick at my eyes, knowing that means I'll be back to the same room with about 100 boys.

"What? For my own good, right? Move it along? For my own good and for what he kicks back to you!" Jackie yells to them, trying to let everyone know what horrible and cruel people they are.

"I ask that the court order their incarceration until the age of twenty-one, in the hope that we may yet guide them to a useful and productive life." I feel my anger and fear bottling up, I can hide it, however, Jackie can't.

"But she didn't do shit! She was livin' her best life in school, behavin' and stuff! She didn't do nuttin' odda then not wantin' tah go back to that hell you call The Refuge!" He yells. I let my fear out by crying, knowing that I'll be in that house for another six years. Most of the last two, Jackie won't be there to protect me.

The judges gavel hits the wood, which makes a loud crashing noise. "So ordered."

"No!" I hear Les and Spot yell. I look to them, they're all really worried, I can tell.

Snyder grabs both of us roughly and takes us out of the room, and places us in a carriage back to The Refuge.

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Timeskip
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Jack's POV

A man named Seitz pulls me into an office and shuts the door on me. I look around and see Joseph Pulitzer in the flesh, he's just walked through another door.

"Sit. Know what I was doing at your age, boy? I was in a war. The Civil War," Pulitzer says to me, but I don't.

"Yeah, I heard of it. So, didja win?" I ask with a gallon of sarcasm in my voice.

"People think war is about right or wrong and not power," Pulitzer says in a way to make me sound like I'm a 5 year old. Like I'm immature.

"Yeah, I heard of that too. I don't just sell your papes, Joe. Sometime I read 'em," I say, trying to let him know that I'm not dumb.

"Power of the press is the greatest power of them all. I tell this city how to think. I tell this city how to vote. I shape it's future," he says confidently, like he runs the world... Well... He does, but let's not focus on that world.

"Yeah? Well, right now I'm only thinking about one future, and that's me sista's," I say confidently.

"So am I boy. I have the power to see her stay locked in the Refuge," he threatens. He tries to scare me, but is failing.

"And I have the powa to break out again," I tell him, letting him know that I won't take it.

"Or, I can see you released tomorrow, free and clear, with more money in your pockets than you can earn in three lifetimes," he says with a tone in his voice that I can't describe.

"Are you bribin' me, Joe?" I ask him with a smirk.

"No," he lies.

"Well, it's been real nice chattin' with ya, Joe. But I got to be goin' now," I says and turn around.

"You listen to me, boy. You just shut your mouth and listen to me! You shut up and listen to me for once! No game I'm playing. You and her work for me til the strike's over, and it will end, boy, make no mistake, with or without you and your stupid sister. Then you and her can go where ever you want to buy a ticket for. Away from the Refuge, these foul streets. Free. With money to spend and nobody chasing you," he yells, showing his weakness.

"We must have you scared pretty bad, old man," I say with a smile.

"I offer you freedom and money just for you and her to work for me again. To your friends, I won't be so kind. Now, you're partner, what's his name? David. I understand he has a family. What do you think the Refuge will do to him? And it will be you who put him there. And all the others, after all, you're their leader. And finally, your little sister, Anna. I've heard that she's been raped in there, correct? I will make sure that she suffers far more than that. All of her pain and suffering will be your fault and yours only, because I hear that she's a pretty good kid. It's your choice: Go back to the Refuge tonight, think about it. Give me your answer in the morning.

I linger for a moment, then deciding against it for now. I walk out the door, hoping for Ash to not have what he promised. That no one has to suffer. But I know that he'll keep to his word.

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Timeskip
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Your POV

I'm brought to Pulitzer's office by a nice man named Seitz. As I'm placed in the room, the door is shut and I see Pulitzer waiting for me. He gestures for me to take a seat in front of his desk, so I do so.

"Hello, Anna. I had a talk with your brother earlier. I just hope you aren't as horrible as your brother is," he says. I shake my head.

"He's not horrible, he just doesn't know when to drop the newsboy act," I say. He stands up and walks behind me, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"I'll just cut to the chase. I'm giving you and your brother a chance to get out of The Refuge for good. First class train ticket to Santa Fe and enough cash to keep you going for about a hundred years. All of this, if you just end the strike," he says, trying to convince me.

"No thank you, sir. I know that my family won't be able to survive with the price," I say, trying to be polite as possible.

"What if I told you this?" He says calmly, then grips my shoulders violently and leans into my ear. "If you don't comply and convince your brother to join, I promise that the last experience you had in the refuge will only be a small incident compared to what will happen if you decline. I will make sure that your 'family' of newsies will suffer even more. And Francis? He'll suffer a fate worse than death. I can promise you that all of this will come true and I won't even bat an eye. All of this will happen... Unless... You shut down the whole thing, and convince all the other boroughs to do the same. So what do you say?" He asks. I try to speak but no words leave my mouth. I finally gulp down my fear and speak.

"I- okay- okay, yes. I'll- I'll get him t-to stop-stop this whole thing. Jus-... Just please... Don't... Hurt them," I say, my voice quaking and tears in my eyes. I can feel his grip on my shoulder loosen and he walks in front of me, taking a seat in front of me.

"Excellent. I'll make sure that they will be okay. Just shut this down, and everything will be okay. Plus you get to live far away from here, with your criminal record expunged," he says and leans back in his chair. "I'm glad that you're more cooperative than your brother. He ran off as soon as he left. A natural born criminal, he is. But you, you're a good kid. I have a son, his name is Ralph, and he's looking for a wife, and you seem perfect for him. He's always wanted to travel, so maybe he could join you when you go to Santa Fe?" He asks, but it's less of an offering and more of a demand.

"No thank you, sir. I already have my heart set out for someone else," I say as I stand up, quickly wiping my tears away.

"Of course. I understand. But if you ever decide that you need someone strong and respectable, you may always come to me," he says. I nod and exit the room.

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Timeskip
==================

Jackie and I just grabbed our papers for the day. He's wearing a fitted suit, while I'm wearing a long and poofy pink and purple dress.

"Just tell me I'm seein' things. Just tell me I'm seein' things," I hear Spot say. I feel disappointed in myself, but I know that it's for the best.

"No, you ain't seeing things. That's Jack and Ash. What's they doin'?" Race asks. I so badly want to answer, but I'm not allowed to.

"Jack's dressed like a scabba!" Spot yells.

"Jack? Jack, look at me, will ya? Come on, it's me, Mush. Look at me. What are you doin', you two?" Mush asks. He looks so worried. Neither of us can say anything.

"This ain't happening. This can't be happening. What are you doin' you guys? Come on, what are you doin'?" Blink asks. I have to force my eyes to the ground to stop myself from apologizing or crying.

"Come on. What is this? Where'd you get them clothes?" Boots asks, stepping up and touching my dress. He's just a little kid, and yet he's so sweet.

"Mr. Pulitzer picked them out himself. Two special gifts to two special new employees," Wiesel says, which makes me so sad because I thought that he liked me.

"They sold us out!" Spot yells. I can't stop myself from crying, which Wiesel notices and glares at me for.

"I'll give you a new suit! You bum! I'll soak ya!" Race yells to Jackie, but is pushed back by Spot.

"Hey, hey, hey! Let me get my hands dirty. Come here you dirty rotten scabber! Traitor!" Spot yells and tries to attack Jackie, but is held back by the other newsies. his attention is then drawn to me, he sees me crying, and Wiesel tries to stop me from crying my slapping me across my cheek. Spot looks so worried and upset.

"Aww. You two wanna talk to 'em? Come on, come on. Sure. Go right ahead," Wiesel says to Davey and Spot. Spot walks up to me and looks worried and mad at the same time.

"Ash, no, dat isn't your real name. You're Anna Sullivan. Youse lied to us, all of us, not jus' me. But nevahmind that, you prolly just did that tah hide from Snyda. But why did ya sell us out? Did they force ya?" He asks with anger and empathy in his voice. I can't tell him.

"No. I chose this. No one else did. If you want to blame anyone, blame me. Jackie and I were offered money and freedom by Pulitzer, and once we work for him, we can leave. And please, never call me by that name. I'm Ash Kelly, not that... Person, anymore. But anyways. No one forced me to do anything. I'm not that weak to just give in like that," I say. He scoffs and furrows his brows.

"I can't believe I almost kissed ya. I can't believe dat... Dat I wanted ya to be my queen. But now I know bettah. Don't trust scabs like you," Spot speaks with so much distrust in his voice. I wish I had a reason to blame him, but I don't. It just hurts me that I hurt the person I love.

I remain silent, even though I know that he wants me to speak. I feel the hand of one boy from behind me slapping my ass. I feel my anxiety leap to my heart as I know that I can't do anything about it. I watch as a couple newsies, even though they hate me now, try to attack that boy, but get held back by a couple policemen.

"Maybe you'd like a new suit of your own, huh?" Wiesel says to everyone, who all yell then run off.

"Traitor!" Spot yells at us.

"You make me sick!" Blink yells at Jackie, then turns to me with a disappointed face. "And tah think that I liked ya," he says before storming off, leaving me more hurt with every word that's spoken.

"I trusted you two!" Boots yells before walking away.

"Seize the day, huh Jack?" Race asks Jackie, then looks at me. "Crutchie would be disappointed. I know dat because I am." That just hurts me.

"Theyse foolin' 'em, so he can spy on 'em or something. Yeah, yeah, that's it. Theyse foolin' 'em!" Les yells to them, trying to not give up on us.

"Yeah, he's spying on 'em, kid," Race says sarcastically. I try to maintain my composure, but it's hard.

Soon, there's no newsies left, so I hit the streets with Jackie by my side. I think back to the whole reason why I became a newsie, that I wanted to go back to school. But now, I'm ashamed to admit that I really love those boys. They were the only family I had, and I blew it. I always ruin everything